UMG is a Dutch-American conglomerate, headquartered in the Netherlands and the US, estimated to hold between 31% and 34% of the global market share. Considered the largest of the “Big Three” of the world’s record labels alongside Sony Music Group and Warner Music Group, UMG’s list of subsidiaries includes EMI, Abbey Road Studios, Def Jam Recordings and Motown.

The company’s list of artists puts things in a greater perspective – their full roster boasts Taylor Swift, Bob Dylan, Sabrina Carpenter, Kendrick Lamar, Coldplay, The Weeknd and Bad Bunny to name just a few. In their financial report for the year, the group declared that their artists had occupied 9 of the top 10 spots on the year’s IFPI Global Artist Chart for the third consecutive year, as well as 4 of the top 5 artists on Spotify. Universal further reported continued revenue growth throughout 2025, including greater subscription service rates and major successes with Swift, Olivia Dean, Morgan Waller, Stray Kids and the K-Pop Demon Hunters soundtrack.

But this sustained growth is not enough for Bill Ackman, chief executive of Pershing Square, which currently owns a 10% stake in UMG. The US-based investment group also holds shares in Google, Meta and Amazon, and it now seeks to take a majority hold over Universal in order to boost its stock price and profit margins. Pershing Square’s bid of $64 billion aims to fix the “languished” stock prices of UMG, with its problems Ackman identifies as being outside of its music business capable of being “addressed with this transaction”.

According to the BBC, in a letter to the board of UMG Ackman voiced that the company had “dramatically underperformed” in US and world stock indexes, due to various factors but chief among them is his belief that the company is currently only listed in European markets from Amsterdam, and not US ones such as the New York Stock Exchange. A move to list itself on the American stock market was filed in 2025 as per the BBC, with a valuation at the time of approximately $50bn, but this has been delayed since March this year citing “turbulent market conditions” according to Music Business Worldwide.

Further issues hampering UMG’s profitability include the dilemmas around royalty payment from streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, who are known to provide little compensation for music consumption, and the rise of AI-generated music and piracy. The group threatened to pull the rights to their library from social media platform TikTok in 2024, due to issues over royalty payment and concerns about “protecting human artists from the harmful effects of AI, and online safety for TikTok’s users.”

As of today, Universal has not responded to the offer. The BBC reports that since the proposal was made publicly known, UMG’s share price rose by nearly 30% before plateauing at around 10% higher.

EMI (Electric and Musical Industries) was a renowned British record label founded in 1931. It played a significant role in the global music industry, producing and distributing music across various genres. EMI was home to legendary artists and bands, including The Beatles (signed to EMI’s Parlophone subsidiary), Queen, Pink Floyd, and David Bowie. Today, the EMI name continues to exist under Universal Music Group, representing a legacy label that shaped the modern music landscape

EMI Records have been so soo good to us this year. So grateful for them :’)

— georgia (@georgiabull__) December 4, 2024

For the third consecutive year, EMI secured the top position with a 10.5% market share in combined consumption. This achievement was driven by successful releases from artists like Taylor Swift, whose album ‘The Tortured Poets Department‘ sold 783,820 units.

RCA Records came in second for combined consumption in 2024, holding a 10% market share. RCA was particularly strong in track streams, leading with a 10.8% share. The label’s success was bolstered by domestic breakthrough artist Myles Smith, whose single ‘Stargazing’ sold over a million units, and Beyoncé’s album ‘Cowboy Carter’, which sold 137,499 units.

Polydor Records was third on combined consumption. With a 9.9% market share, Polydor’s success was attributed to artists like Sabrina Carpenter, whose album ‘Short n’ Sweet‘ sold 372,956 units, and her chart-topping singles ‘Espresso’, ‘Please Please Please’, and ‘Taste’. Polydor Records may get recognition for Sabrina Carpenter’s success with ‘Short n’ Sweet‘ due to its role in distribution and international marketing, even though Sabrina is primarily signed to Island Records. Both Polydor Records and Island Records are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group (UMG) and artists signed to one label under UMG can have their work promoted by other UMG labels in specific territories. In Sabrina’s case, Polydor took charge of her European releases, while Island focused on her U.S. promotions.

Forth was Island Records, known for its diverse roster, Island Records saw success with artists such as Noah Kahan, Hozier, and Chappell Roan, contributing to its strong market presence. Parlophone benefited from releases like Coldplay’s ‘Moon Music‘, enhancing its position in the market. Warner Records achieved notable success with Dua Lipa’s third album ‘Radical Optimism‘ and Warner Music’s Atlantic label enjoyed success with Charli XCX’s ‘Brat’.

The increased support for women in the music industry has had a profound effect on recorded music consumption. Their artistic output has driven innovation and boosted the industry’s growth, further emphasizing the importance of diversity and representation in music. These labels have played a pivotal role in shaping the UK’s music landscape in 2024, supporting a range of artists and contributing to the industry’s growth.

This talented group is set to embark on their highly anticipated tour, commencing May 2nd 2024 at the Hebden Bridge Trades Club. The tour will then grace the stages of other vibrant cities such as Leeds, Manchester and London’s iconic venue KOKO on May 7th. Camera Obscura will then finish their UK tour in their home city on May 11, playing at the Barrowland Ballroom, in Glasgow. Tickets will go on sale November 17.

Devoted fans can eagerly anticipate the debut of fresh material from the band, who have already produced five remarkable albums, the most recent being Desire Lines in 2013. The current lineup of Camera Obscura features the enchanting vocals of Tracyanne Campbell, the guitar skills of Kenny McKeeve, the bass lines of Gavin Dunbar, and the rhythmic beats of Lee Thomson on drums. Tracyanne Campbell comments,”We’re excited to be working again with Merge Records. We are looking forward to sharing new music with our fans and to playing live in 2024.”

In 2005, the band released the non-album single “I Love My Jean,” which went on to become their highest charting single on the UK Pop charts. The band showcased a 1960s acoustic sounding vibe.

In May 2019, Camera Obscura hinted at the possibility of releasing new music in response to a tweet about their album Desire Lines. Monorail Music said “Perfect timing, with Camera Obscura playing their first Glasgow show in 5 years tonight – their 5th & final album, Desire Lines, is being re-pressed.”
The band retweeted, “It’s definitely our fifth album…..”.

It’s definitely our fifth album…..

— Camera_Obscura_ (@Camera_Obscura_) August 5, 2019

The band confirmed in May 2020 that they were working on a new album but had to postpone recording due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On 23 April 2022, they released a compilation album called Making Money which included rare B-sides, covers, a session recording, and two remixes. This album was dedicated to the memory of former band member Carey Lande.

The band took to their social media platforms to address their fans and share their delight to be back. They said, “We are very excited” and “We are also very pleased to announce that we’ll be playing some shows next year too. Tickets on sale on Friday”.

Fans can expect an unforgettable experience as Camera Obscura showcases their signature blend of baroque pop, infusing it with their unique musical skills and heartfelt lyrics. With their return to Merge Records and the promise of new material, this tour is undoubtedly a momentous occasion for both the band and their devoted fanbase. Fans showed their support and delight at the bands return and UK tour announcement and commented on social media. One fan commented, “Brilliant news- I wasn’t far off posting a Simpsons meme about where is the new record but can hold off now”. Another added, “Awesome“.

Brilliant news- I wasn’t far off posting a Simpsons meme about where is the new record but can hold off now — Richard Coulthard (@RichardBajor) November 14, 2023

Awesome! — Tim Thompson (@timothompson) November 14, 2023

Tour dates are listed below and tickets can be purchased here.

02/05/24 – The Trades Club – Hebden Bridge
04/05 – Stylus – Leeds
06/05 – Academy 2 – Manchester
07/05 – KOKO – London
09/05 – Concorde 2 – Brighton
10/05 – O2 Academy 2 – Birmingham
11/05 – Barrowland Ballroom – Glasgow

Speaking with The Wall Street Journal, President Bob Valentine spoke on Concord’s plans with their newly acquired rights. He states how they plan to distribute the music through avenues that capture the younger generation’s attention. Valentine continues, “In the world we live in today with Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, all these things that drive consumption of older music… there are definitely ways for us as a record company to bring some of this music back to life,”

Included within the deal are a collection of Genesis’ biggest tracks; music included in the agreement are “Follow You, Follow Me“, “Land Of Confusion“, “Invisible Touch“, “In Too Deep“, and “That’s All“. Those affected by the new deal are Genesis’s current bandmembers, Collins, Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks; incorporated within the agreement is music recorded by the band Genesis and work from the musicians’ solo careers.

Music from Collins’ highly successful solo career is also part of the deal, the deal incorporates such hits as “Against All Odds“, “You’ll Be In My Heart“, and the beloved song “In the Air Tonight“. Many of Collins’ hits include covers of previously released songs; the deal with Concorde includes covers like the drummer’s version of The Supremes’ “You Can’t Hurry Love” and the 1988 release of Diane & Annita’s “A Groovy Kind Of Love“.

Also included within the new acquisition is music from Rutherford’s music created with Mike And The Mechanics. The co-founder of Genesis formed Mike And The Mechanics in 1985 as a side project whilst on break from Genesis, the band’s biggest hits include “The Living Years” and “Over My Shoulder“. Those who the deal will not affect include former Genesis band members, most notably Peter Gabriel. Concorde has not acquired the rights to his music; this includes his work created as a solo artist and music created by Gabriel during his time in Genesis.

Based in California, Concord is a global music company that specialises within the music industry’s publishing and recording arm. The company itself had been running since its official formation in 2004; its predecessor was Concord Records which was formed in 1973 and found its origins within the Jazz music genre. The long-standing company distributes worldwide through conglobate Universal Music Group, a partnership which has proved profitable. Concord Music Group Inc is also known for its roster of record labels; those associated with the company include Fearless Records, Rounder Records, Sugar Hill Records, Stax Records, Fantasy Records, Kidz Bop and Victory Records.